How to Fix Error Code 135011 on Microsoft Office

Encountering errors while using Microsoft Office can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re in the middle of completing critical work. One commonly reported issue, particularly by users of Office 365 and enterprise environments, is Error Code 135011. This error is associated with account authentication and licensing problems, and it can prevent users from accessing Office applications altogether.

TLDR: Error Code 135011 in Microsoft Office is usually tied to account or licensing issues, often indicating that your organization’s administrator has limited your access. To fix it, make sure you’re signed in with the correct credentials, clear cached data, and consult IT support if you’re part of a managed enterprise. Home users may need to reinstall or reactivate Office.

What is Error Code 135011?

Error Code 135011 typically appears with a message stating that your sign-in was blocked, often due to changes in account permissions, license attrition, or conditional access policies set by your organization’s IT department. It may read:

“You can’t sign in here with a personal account. Use your work or school account instead. Error Code: 135011.”

This error occurs when Microsoft’s cloud services detect that the user is trying to access organizational content with a personal or unauthorized account. It can also emerge when the Office installation itself is misconfigured or using cached credentials that are no longer valid.

Common Causes of Error 135011

Before diving into how to fix the issue, it’s important to understand the root causes. This will help determine which approach is best suited to resolve it.

• Mismatched Account Types: Trying to log in with a personal Microsoft account where a work or school account is required.
• License Expiry or Removal: Your Office license may have expired or been removed by your administrator.
• Conditional Access Policies: Your organization may restrict access based on IP, device, or region.
• Cached Credential Issues: Local cache or stored credentials on your system may conflict with updated server data.
• Multiple Account Conflicts: Signing in with more than one Microsoft account can confuse Office’s authentication process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve Error 135011

1. Ensure You’re Using the Correct Account Type

This is often the first thing users overlook. If you’re attempting to access Office using a personal Microsoft account when the application or subscription has been authorized for a work or school account, you’ll receive this error. Double-check the account you’re signing in with:

1. Open any Office application (e.g., Word or Excel).
2. Click on File > Account.
3. Under User Information, see which account is logged in.
4. If it’s not your work/school account, click Sign Out, then sign in with the correct one.

2. Clear Cached Credentials

Old or incorrect cached credentials could be interfering with authentication. To remove them:

• Open the Credential Manager from the Windows Control Panel.
• Go to Windows Credentials > Generic Credentials.
• Look for anything related to MicrosoftOffice or your Office email address and remove them.
• Restart your Office apps and sign in again.

3. Check for Active License

If you’re part of an organization, it’s possible that your administrator has revoked or not provisioned your Office license. Check your license status as follows:

1. Go to https://portal.office.com/ and log in with your work or school credentials.
2. Click on the profile icon and select My Account.
3. Under Subscriptions or Apps and Devices, ensure that Office 365 is listed and active.

If you don’t see Office listed, contact your IT administrator to verify the status of your license.

4. Remove and Re-add Your Account from Office

This helps in resetting any account-related glitches that may be causing conflicts:

1. Open an Office application.
2. Go to File > Account.
3. Under Connected Services, remove all accounts listed.
4. Close the application, reopen it, and add only your valid work/school account.

5. Reinstall or Repair Microsoft Office

If corrupted files or improper configuration is suspected, reinstalling Office can rectify the situation:

1. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Select Microsoft Office from the list and click Change.
3. Choose Online Repair for a thorough fix.
4. Once repaired, sign in again using the correct credentials.

6. Work with IT for Conditional Access Issues

Many enterprise environments enforce restrictive access policies using Azure Active Directory:

• If you see conditions like “sign-in blocked due to policy,” contact your IT administrator.
• They will need to check your device compliance, IP restrictions, or group memberships in Azure AD.

This isn’t something the end-user can typically fix on their own.

Fixes for Home or Personal Users

While Error 135011 is more common in business or enterprise environments, personal users may encounter it if their account has been mistakenly identified as a business profile. Here’s what you can do:

1. Remove Work or School Accounts

Sometimes, Windows retains old organization accounts:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
2. Remove any added accounts that you no longer use or recognize.
3. Restart your PC and open Office again.

2. Contact Microsoft Support

If you’ve purchased a home version of Office and still see this error, Microsoft Support can help differentiate and fix the account linkages. You can reach them via:

• Contact Microsoft Support

Proactive Measures to Avoid Error 135011

Once you’ve fixed the issue, consider these preventive steps:

• Use Account Separately: Avoid mixing personal and organization accounts on the same Office installation.
• Keep Licenses Updated: Regularly verify that your subscription is active and your organization has not made licensing changes.
• Sync with Device Policies: For organizational users, ensure your device meets compliance requirements such as antivirus and encryption policies.
• Avoid Credential Conflicts: Regularly clear out old or unused cached credentials.

Conclusion

Error 135011 may seem daunting at first, but it’s typically caused by predictable account or licensing issues that can be methodically resolved. Whether you’re part of a large organization or a home user, the key is identifying which context the error originates from—authentication credentials, conditional access policies, or licensing assignments. By following the step-by-step guidelines above, you’ll likely restore full Office functionality within minutes or, at most, after coordinating with your admin or support channels.

Always keep your Office environment well-maintained and your credentials distinct and up to date to avoid future interruptions.